Friction-brake for differentials



A. F. FORD. I, FRIGTION BRAKE FOR DIFFERENTIALS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.30 I99.

Patented Nov. 9, 192(lI A TTORNEY PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW F. FORD, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

salomon-BRAKE FOR DIFFERENTIALS.

Speecation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9,1920.

Application led August 30, 1919. Serial No. 320,919.

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW F. FORD, a citizen of 'the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Friction-Brakes for Differentials, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention refers more particularly to that class of inventions called bevel gear differentials such as are in common use on automobiles.

The object of my invention is to provide an exceedingly simple and eiiicient means for preventing undue slippage on one of the rear wheels due to unequal weight on same, or differences in road friction.

To accomplish this result I have constructed a device which is illustrated in the :ccompanying drawings and described in the specification following. Y

Referring to the drawing. Figure 1 is an end elevation of the device as used between the spiral gears in a differential; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. l; Fig@ is an elevation looking fromthe outside of the device; Fig. et is an elevation showing the reverse side of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows the two halves of the device assembled. It will be noticed in Figs. l and 2 that the differential parts are shown in phantom, and in Figs. 3, l and 5 is illustrated the device itself. f

Similar letters and numbers of reference refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, A1 are the usual bevel gears of a differential between which is interposed the three-legged spider A? upon which are commonly mounted bevel pinions A3, which I have omitted from Fig. l for the sake of clearness.

My device consists of the two irregular disks F illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 which are supplied with a circular hole F1, around which is formed an annular ring F 2, and spaced equi-distant on its circumference are the recesses F3 which are shaped to receive the bevel pinions A3 and to permit same to rotate in the same manner and meshing with the same bevel gears that they did when mounted on the spider A1. Mid-way between the recesses F3 are the counter bore recesses F* which are adapted to receive the legs of the Snider A2.

It will be noticed in Fig. 1 that the outward portion .of the counter' bore F* is made slightly elliptical and its purpose is intended to produce a more decided lateral thrust outwardly against the pair of disks F,

thereby forcing the surfaces F 5 and F6 spinning.

It is evident that no change is made in the parts already on the car except to remove the bevel pinions A3 from the spider A2 and insert them into the recesses F3.

Owing to the fact that these pinions A3 do not rotate at all while the vehicle is trav Y cling in a straight line' and only rotate slightly when a curve is being made, it is apparent that the amount of wear on the gear teeth, or the disks themselves will be very slight-in fact, less than it would be were the pinions obliged to race around the gears during the slipping of one of the wheels. Y

I have shown in the drawing the threelegged type of spider, but it is evident that this principle may be adopted where any number of pinions are used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be seen upon examination of the drawing that the friction of the disks is not merely against the gear teeth but against every portion of the gear from the central shaft to the outside of the gear teeth, which means that all of the surfaces F5 and F6 become friction surfaces, and a slight amount of wear will cause .the entire surfaces F5 and F6 to seat themselves against the gears, merely prolonging the life of the device.

FVhile I have thus illustrated and described my invention it is not my desire to limit myself to this precise form of invention or method of application of same7 but intend that it shall cover all forms and modifications that fall fairly within the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A friction brake for bevel gear dif-V ferentials consisting of a pair of disks arranged to occupy all of the space between the bevel gears not occupied by the spider and pinions, and having recesses adapted to i lil@ receive said bevel pinions which have previously been removed from the Vspider of the diiierential.

2. A friction brake orbevel gear differentials consisting of a pair of disks arranged to occupy all of the space between the bevel gears in a dilerential in a manner that the separation of said disks will produce a friction on the gears over their entire surface from the central shaft to the outside of the gear and having recesses formed between same to receive the legs of the spider from which the pinions'have'been removed, said recesses being made slightly elliptical in a manner to serve as wedging surfaces Jfor the legs of the differential spider, seid disks being relieved to admit the rib of said Spider and having other recessesv formed between the spider leg recesses which are adapted to contain the bevel pinions and permit same to rotate therein in mesh with the bevel gears.

ANDREW F. FoRD. 

